California Adopted The Country’s First Major Consumer Privacy Law. Now, Silicon Valley Is Trying To Rewrite It
(Washington Post, Sep 04, 2019)
Privacy advocates say the industry lobbying push — weeks before the legislature adjourns — threatens to undermine Web users’ rights
The World’s First Ambassador To The Tech Industry
(NY Times, Sep 04, 2019)
Denmark appointed him to approach Silicon Valley as if it were a global superpower. His challenges show how smaller countries struggle to influence giant corporations.
UK Court Backs Welsh Police Use Of Facial Recognition Technology
(Financial Times, Sep 04, 2019)
Campaigners claimed human rights and data protection laws had been breached
Amazon May Launch A Hand Recognition Payment System
(Times of India, Sep 04, 2019)
According to a report by The New York Post, “the e-tailing giant’s engineers are quietly testing scanners that can identify an individual human hand as a way to ring up a store purchases”. The system is expected to be launched in Amazon-owned supermarket chain, Whole Foods.
Future Apple Watch Could ID You By Scanning The Skin On Your Wrist
(Gear Brain, Sep 04, 2019)
Apple is working on a way to bring biometric security to the Watch, by having the wearable identify you by the skin on your wrist. The technology is highlighted by a new patent which was filed by Apple in May 2018 and made public this week. The patent describes a system whereby the Watch uses an infrared thermal imaging sensor to identify a unique "skin texture pattern" for the owner.
Database Tech Catches Man Days Before Statute Of Limitations Expired On Death Penalty Murder Case
(Thai Examiner, Sep 04, 2019)
The ruthless efficiency of database and biometric screening technology is having a devastating effect on lawbreakers in Thailand. Last Thursday, August 29th, a police team from Phuket travelled to La-Ngu in southern Satun province to pick up 43-year-old Seree Thong-iab. The unlucky Thai man was arrested 24 hours before on a charge of premeditated murder going back to 1999 just days before the statute of limitations on the crime was to expire. He faces the death penalty.
Facebook Drops Default Facial Recognition Tag Suggestions
(Threat Post, Sep 04, 2019)
Facebook is giving users more control over a facial recognition feature used by the company to help identify, or Tag, people on its platform. Starting Tuesday, the company said it would allow its users to opt-out of the Tag Suggestions feature, while at the same time the company is attempting to help users better understand what the feature does.
Cyber Criminals Use AI To Mimic CEO's Voice And Trick Manager Into Transferring £200,000
(Computing, Sep 04, 2019)
The manager of a firm was tricked into transferring $243,000 to a bank account controlled by fraudsters after they used AI software to mimic the voice of his boss. The crime, in which cyber criminals used AI-based software to mimic the voice of the CEO of a German parent company of an undisclosed British energy firm, occurred in March, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Court Throws Out Privacy Challenge To Facial Recognition Technology In Landmark Ruling
(City AM, Sep 04, 2019)
The High Court found that the use of automatic facial recognition technology (AFR) by South Wales police was lawful after a challenge by privacy campaigner Ed Bridges who was represented by advocacy group Liberty.
